First Exchange of Prisoners

April 3, 1978

GENEVA (Apr. 2)

The International Red Cross Committee announced here yesterday that the first repatriation of prisoners between Israel and Lebanon took place Friday under Red Cross auspices. The Geneva-based committee’s representatives in Israel handed over to Lebanese authorities four Arab prisoners released by Israel in the first return of captives since Israeli forces marched into Lebanon earlier this month. The prisoners were delivered to Red Cross officials stationed in Lebanon at the Israeli border post at Rosh Hanikra. The four men, three Lebanese and an Egyptian, were then driven to Beirut where they were handed over to Lebanese authorities, the committee reported.